VFP Statement Against Israeli Assault on Gaza

2014 Veterans For Peace National ConventionAsheville, North CarolinaJuly 26, 2014

As veterans who have witnessed the horror of war, we are deeply outraged by the State of Israel's slaughter of many innocent civilians in Gaza. The military assault against children, women and men, by air, by sea and now by land, is a clear violation of international laws of war and of human rights. Nearly 1,000 Palestinians have been murdered, almost all of them civilians, nearly a quarter of them children. Over 5,000 are wounded.

Veterans For Peace joins millions of people all around the globe who are shocked by this vicious, one-sided slaughter. We understand the huge injustice of the Israeli occupation. Palestinians have been ethnically cleansed from their homes and forced to live in the Occupied West Bank, or in the open-air prison that is Gaza.

We call on Israel to stop the massacre now! There should be an immediate end to all bombing and an immediate withdrawal of all Israeli military from Gaza. We join with the international community in calling for a cease-fire.

Veterans For Peace calls for an end to the inhumane 8-year siege of Gaza, so that normal trade and travel can occur, and so that residents of Gaza may have the basic necessities of life.

Veterans For Peace will push for an end to all military aid to Israel.

Veterans For Peace recommits itself to participating in the international campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel and Israeli products.

We encourage all parties to search for a nonviolent path to peace.

It is time to recognize the human rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to return to the homes from which they were forced to flee in 1948.

Veterans For Peace applauds the courage of over 50 Israeli reservists who have publicly refused to fight in Gaza, or to serve in any military support roles whatsoever. We will attempt to make contact with these Israeli war resisters in order to help spread their message of peace and we will join in international efforts to protect them from repression by the Israeli government.

We encourage all Israeli soldiers to avoid becoming party to war crimes against innocent Palestinian civilians, and to consider all their options for standing on the side of humanity.

The peoples of Palestine, Israel and the world deserve to live in peace and harmony. The ultimate goal of Veterans For Peace is to abolish war. In the meantime, we stand ready to assist those Israelis and Palestinians who seek peace and reconciliation.

Approved overwhelmingly at 2014 VFP National Convention

Veterans For Peace Chapter 111 in Bellingham WA oppose the ongoing violence in Gaza and the targeting of innocent civilians. Members have submitted a resolution to the Bellingham City Council to vote on Monday, August 4th at 7:00 PM. <More>